Show me the money! Denzel Bentley vacates world title to join Zuffa

Denzel Bentley vacates WBO belt to join Zuffa

According to journalist Dan Rafael, WBO world middleweight champion Denzel Bentley has vacated his world title to join Zuffa Boxing.

The Battersea boxer was ordered to defend his belt to mandatory challenger Yoenli Hernandez, but the purse bids of only $200,000 clearly wasn't attractive enough for the champion.

The 31-year-old south Londoner has instead signed a multi-fight deal with Dana White's promotion, with his first fight scheduled on the Chris Billam-Smith vs Cheavon Clarke card on November 7th at the Copper Box Arena in London.

Rafael tweeted on X: "BREAKING: Per source with direct knowledge, Denzel Bentley has signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing & will face a foe to be named in the Chris Billam-Smith-Chev Clarke co-feature Nov. 7 in London. Bentley will not accept terms of this week's WBO 160 title defense purse bid that would have paid him only $160k to face mandatory Yoenli Hernancedz & will vacate the title."

Bentley's purse, after training camp fees and payments to trainers and staff, would have likely have fallen under £100,000, which isn't a hugely significant amount for a world title fight abroad against an unbeaten challenger.

The now-vacant belt could potentially be contested between WBO #1 Yoenli Hernandez and Australian superstar Tim Tszyu, who is ranked #2.